Testing is creative work: Why do we treat QA as a craft, not just a checklist?
Let’s try a quick thought experiment.
Step away from your screen for a second and picture yourself playing a classic game: dominoes. A game that doesn’t rely on high-speed action or instant gratification, but pushes you to be patient, precise and pay attention to each individual piece. In dominoes, the real rush comes at the end: that satisfying final moment when everything clicks into place, and you see the entire chain reaction unfold perfectly.
That’s exactly what QA feels like to us. We’re the ones who get to look at the full picture: the combined effort of an entire team of coders, artists, writers, and designers, and make sure every piece works together as it should. But QA isn’t just about stepping back and admiring the big picture. It also involves getting in close and examining even the smallest details.
Think of us as your first players and your last line of defense. We’re the ones who make sure the heart of your planned experience – a smooth, accessible, and free of bugs game – actually reaches the players intact.
And if that doesn’t already show you why QA is more than just a checklist, don’t worry, we’ve got more reasons coming up:
1. QA has way more depth than most people realize.
Every final game has a complex testing project behind, each with its own goals and challanges. Sometimes, it starts with pre-alpha and alpha testing, where we get familiar with the game and begin spotting bugs, checking performance, and making sure things feel balanced. Then comes beta & final beta testing, when the game is more stable but still needs refining. And finally, there’s gold master: the final round before release, where everything needs to run smooth and clean. However, if you’re part of our industry, you know these steps aren’t always respected, as many requests and extra side quests come along the way.
Anyhow, it is for sure that each QA step is a challenge itself …kind of like levels in a game. But there are also moments that feel more like finding a hidden Easter egg. One of those is exploratory testing. In exploratory testing, the team tests the game more freely, thinking about the way a player might naturally interact with it, pushing its limits, doing unexpected things and seeing what breaks. It’s often where the weirdest, most elusive bugs show up!
2. It’s not a game anyone can just pick up
We’re not gatekeeping. With enough effort, passion, and time, we believe anyone can grow into this role. But after years in the industry, we’ve learned that thriving in QA takes a very specific mix of qualities. A sharp eye for detail, strong communication, technical know-how, patience, adaptability, and perhaps most importantly, a deep love for gaming. And that’s just the baseline. Depending on the type of testing you do or the partner’s expectations, the skill set can grow even more specialized.
3. QA is an endless-possibility domain:
There are many paths within QA: manual testing, automated testing, in-house roles where you grow with the project from the inside, or external testing teams that rotate between titles. You might specialize in localization QA, age ratings, usability testing, compliance, or UX consultancy. And then there are the tools, lots of them! And while structured processes are a must, we’re also constantly innovating and finding creative ways to test each game more effectively.
4. It takes empathy
Above all, we’re your first players, and that matters to us. For a game to truly land, it has to connect with people. So, when we test, we’re trying to see beyond the screen, and listen to what the game is trying to say. We approach each level, menu, or cutscene with an open mind and open heart, looking for anything that could block the player’s experience. Then comes the equally important part: communicating those issues clearly, constructively, and with respect for the team behind the work. We’re collaborators, not critics.
Bonus level: Always remember, you’re part of a community
Like any creative field, QA can sometimes feel overwhelming or isolating, especially when you’re knee-deep in bugs or sprint deadlines. That’s when it’s important to remember: you’re not alone. You’re part of a wider community of testers, devs, designers, producers, and players, all working toward the same goal: making great games.
Lean on that network. Ask questions. Share insights. Swap war stories and testing tips. Whether it’s through forums, team chats, or casual coffee catch-ups, feedback and collaboration are essential. They help you sharpen your skills, see your blind spots, and approach challenges with fresh eyes.
Most importantly, staying connected keeps the work meaningful and a lot more fun. After all, QA is more than just a checklist. It is creative work in it’s own, right?
